Post by colanowski on Dec 11, 2023 11:13:40 GMT -5
It's not often I am able to go to an event as a fan to sit back and watch the wrestling and just enjoy evaluating talent. Often times when I'm at an event I'm either running it or coaching...I've had the opportunity to watch more HS wrestling in the last week than I have in the last 5 years combine...some thoughts on what I've seen...(Feel free to contribute)
1. Mountain View is the best team in the state. I'd love to see a quad between Mountain View, Great Bridge, Stanton River, and St. Chris. Those are the top four in my opinion. But from what I've seen...MV has a group of kids that compete on a national schedule 12 months a year. Legacy Dragons and Brian Van Hoven have done an incredible job contributing to the wrestling tradition in Fredericksburg/Stafford.
2. My early season candidate for coach of the year is Patrick Shuler from Grassfield. I was able to watch them up close this weekend loved the way Grassfield competed. Very physical team. You can tell these kids LOVE tough wrestling. Its a great brand of wrestling and I'm here for it!
3. 6A is the toughest division this year...by a MILE! Mountain View, Brooke Point, Grassfield, Chantilly, Robinson...I think the state tournament will be largely impacted by which team can get more wrestlers qualified. I think Grassfield will have a slight edge come February as historically the Northern VA regions are tougher to qualify out of...But at the end of the day Mountain View will rise to the top.
4. VA needs in in season competition that brings all the best teams and athletes together to get a true indicator of who the best talent in the state is. The new five event rule with the VHSL really throws a wrench into things...Maybe if you ask nicely I will try my hardest to create this event I speak of
5. Some individuals I was extremely impressed with this weekend:
This weekend is Beast of the East!!! I look forward to seeing VA Wrestler's test themselves against national level competition.
To spark some conversation I'll leave you with these questions...
-Who in VA has the best shot at winning a Beast of the East title this weekend?
-Who are the top 5 teams in the state of VA?
-What division is the toughest division this year?
-Individuals to keep an eye out for?
1. Mountain View is the best team in the state. I'd love to see a quad between Mountain View, Great Bridge, Stanton River, and St. Chris. Those are the top four in my opinion. But from what I've seen...MV has a group of kids that compete on a national schedule 12 months a year. Legacy Dragons and Brian Van Hoven have done an incredible job contributing to the wrestling tradition in Fredericksburg/Stafford.
2. My early season candidate for coach of the year is Patrick Shuler from Grassfield. I was able to watch them up close this weekend loved the way Grassfield competed. Very physical team. You can tell these kids LOVE tough wrestling. Its a great brand of wrestling and I'm here for it!
3. 6A is the toughest division this year...by a MILE! Mountain View, Brooke Point, Grassfield, Chantilly, Robinson...I think the state tournament will be largely impacted by which team can get more wrestlers qualified. I think Grassfield will have a slight edge come February as historically the Northern VA regions are tougher to qualify out of...But at the end of the day Mountain View will rise to the top.
4. VA needs in in season competition that brings all the best teams and athletes together to get a true indicator of who the best talent in the state is. The new five event rule with the VHSL really throws a wrench into things...Maybe if you ask nicely I will try my hardest to create this event I speak of
5. Some individuals I was extremely impressed with this weekend:
- Brett Clatterbaugh - Heavyweight from Eastern View is a MAN among boys. I selfishly hope he chooses to wrestle in college, but I've heard he is a very talented football player.
- Colin Martin - One of two wrestlers to place at Ironman(along w/ Landon Jobber Spence). Collin has a style that will translate well to division one wrestling. He just committed to wrestle at American University. Collin is hard to score on, great on top, and his wrestling IQ is that of Albert Einstein.
- Lane Foard - The Benedictine Junior is BUILT FOARD TOUGH! Have you seen this kid? He put on some size this off season and looks spectacular! He moves extremely well, wrestles extremely physical, wrestles a high pace, and have a wide variety of offense.
- Peyton Van Hoven - Coming into the season I questioned if PVH's lack of size would hurt him... I got the answer this weekend. NO! He's gotten bigger over the summer. He looks great. Wrestling is in this kids blood. I look forward to seeing him in a LOADED 106lb 6A bracket come February with Shin, Wetzler, and possibly Caden Smith.
This weekend is Beast of the East!!! I look forward to seeing VA Wrestler's test themselves against national level competition.
To spark some conversation I'll leave you with these questions...
-Who in VA has the best shot at winning a Beast of the East title this weekend?
-Who are the top 5 teams in the state of VA?
-What division is the toughest division this year?
-Individuals to keep an eye out for?
